10 spices, herbs that aid weight loss

Sugar, spice and everything nice ... – Sugar might not help you drop pounds, but spices can. A touch of these 10 herbs can help you lose weight and pump up the flavor!

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Ginseng – Some forms of ginseng can speed metabolism and boost energy. Panax ginseng in particular has weight-loss properties, according to research from the University of Maryland.

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Cayenne – Cayenne pepper brings heat with its main ingredient, capsaicin, that helps burn fat and suppress appetite. It also increases metabolism, causing the body to burn more calories, according to research from Purdue University.

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Cinnamon – Cinnamon reduces blood sugar and LDL cholesterol (the bad kind). Studies show that this treat can boost metabolism and increase insulin levels, lowering the chance of pre-diabetes.

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Black pepper – This common household ingredient can boost metabolism through its main component, piperine. Not only does black pepper improve digestion, it also helps burn fat at a faster rate. In fact, black pepper can "potentially burn as many calories as walking for 20 minutes," according to research from the University of Oklahoma.

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Dandelion – Did you know dandelions can be eaten in their raw form? Use them to spruce up your garden or your salad! Dandelions cleanse the body and slow digestion, making you feel full longer. Dandelions also rank in the top four vegetables for nutritional value, according to the USDA.

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Mustard – Mustard is actually a great weight-loss tool. Researchers from England's Oxford Polytechnic Institute say one teaspoon can speed up the metabolic rate by almost 25%.

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Turmeric – Turmeric, a bright orange spice commonly found in India, helps break down fat and regulate the body's metabolism. Turmeric can also help reduce the chance of diabetes, according to research from Columbia University.

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Ginger – Studies show that ginger can suppress appetite, aid digestion, remove toxins and raise the temperature of the body to boost metabolism. Who knew it had so many powers?

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Cardamom – Cardamom boosts metabolism and is low in saturated fat. It can also promote healthy digestion, according to Kathleen Brown and Jeanine Pollak in their book "Herbal Teas: 101 Nourishing Blends for Daily Health and Vitality."

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Cumin – Cumin helps the digestive process and production of energy while boosting the immune system. It may also help those with asthma, arthritis, kidney disease and colon cancer, according to some research.